Game of the Year Nominee: Men's soccer stuns IndianaBadgers score four goals in final 25 minutes of action to win

June 28, 2014

The Badgers enjoyed their share of success in 2013-14 and now UWBadgers.com is honoring the best student-athletes, teams and performances of the year. Over the next few weeks, we'll unveil the best of the Badgers in five categories: Big Ten Medal of Honor (June 16), Athletes of the Year (June 17-21), Team Achievements of the Year (June 22-27), Games of the Year (June 28-July 5) and Freshmen of the Year (July 13-18).

Today we feature the Wisconsin men's soccer team's win over Indiana as a nominee for the Game of the Year.

MADISON, Wis. – One of the most remarkable comebacks and incredible wins in Wisconsin men’s soccer program history took place last season, as defending NCAA champion Indiana paid a visit to Madison for UW’s Big Ten home opener.

The McClimon Complex packed with a crowd that eclipsed the season’s previous best by nearly 400 fans, the Badgers used a four-goal performance in the final 25 minutes of action—including a header in the 84th minute by AJ Cochran—to capture a 4-3 win over the Hoosiers.

The win extended UW’s home unbeaten streak to nine consecutive matches, as the win sprung the Badgers to go on and finish the season 10-0 at home. UW built up what is currently the longest active home unbeaten streak in the country (14) heading into the 2014 season.

A pair of goals from junior All-American AJ Cochran, including the game-winner, as well as scores from Toni Ramadani and Jacob Brindle helped erase a two-goal, second half deficit and sealed the win for the Badgers.

Trailing 2-0 to the Hoosiers entering the 65th minute, Rimadani got the Badgers on the board, as Brindle served a pass to a streak Nick Janus, who then connected with Ramadani right to left for the goal.

The Hoosiers responded with their third and final goal of the evening, which extended their lead to 3-1 and appeared to put UW out of reach in the 70th minute.

Tomislav Zadro would help the Badgers quickly respond, however, serving up a corner kick that was knocked in by Cochran for the score and cut IU’s lead to 3-2.

In the 81st minute, Conner and Paul Yonga connected with Brindle, who sniped in the equalizer from the front corner of the six-yard box.

The comeback was completed just three minutes later, as the Badgers delivered the knockout punch in the 84th minute. The student section facing him and the wind at a standstill, Conner sent a corner kick into the box that found Cochran, who directed the ball back post on a header, ripped off his jersey in celebration and sent the crowd into a frenzy.

The remarkable comeback marked the fifth victory in school history against IU.